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LeBlanc gets start in place of JJ

MIAMI — With the season ending on Wednesday, and the Marlins locked into last place in the National League East, the team doesn’t have much reason to chance anything with their ace, Josh Johnson.

So rather than give the 28-year-old one more start, the right-hander is being shut down.

The Marlins initially had Johnson scheduled to make his final start on Monday against the Mets at Marlins Park.

But on Monday morning, the club announced left-hander Wade LeBlanc would get the nod in the series opener.

No reason for the switch was given for the change.

Johnson, who missed a majority of 2011 with right shoulder inflammation, has already made it through the season healthy. Monday is the first scheduled start that he is missing.

Johnson finishes with an 8-14 record and a 3.81 ERA.

For the year, Johnson made 31 starts and threw 191 1/3 innings. He had hope to reach 200 innings, but he certainly is close enough and showed he can hold up. His innings are the most since he threw 183 2/3 innings in 28 starts in 2010.

LeBlanc, 2-5 with a 3.96 ERA, will be making his ninth start for Miami this season. He has appeared mostly out of the bullpen, making 16 relief appearances.

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